Caveman Return with a Smash

Caveman have long been one of my favorite bands out of NYC and so I was thrilled to hear that they have a new LP titled Smash set to drop on July 16th via Fortune Tellers. Smash is the first new Caveman record since 2016’s “Otero War.” Much of it was composed just after the death of singer Matthew Iwanusa’s cousin - her nickname Smash becoming the album title and much of the music on it was inspired by her.

Caveman’s previous album was released on hip-hop label Cinematic Recordings (best known for Joey Badass) after a run with Mississippi label Fat Possum. Then on a whim early last year, they connected with old friend Peter Matthew Bauer of the Walkmen and his label Fortune Tellers to quickly release “New Sides” a series of recordings they had freed up the rights too while waiting for what would become “Smash” to return to their control. Basically dropping the EP five days after it was mastered, it was an early step to just get out into the world again a little with the song “You Got A Feeling” getting picked up on several major playlists and radio stations. “It was just great for people to hear something from us,” says Iwanusa. “It feels like it’s been forever and now we’re sitting on so much new music that’s finally able to get out into the world.”

I remember back when Jimmy and Matt were just young LES misfits, hanging out into the early hours of Tuesday mornings at Darkroom while bandmate Jeff was slinging drinks behind the bar. It’s remarkable how far the three of them have come with this project and I can’t wait for the new record and more of their dreamy guitar rock goodness backed by so much heart.

Check out two of the early release singles from Caveman - Helpess and Like Me.